Aruba in the West Indies is the most westerly
island of the Leeward group of the Netherlands Antilles in the Caribbean
Sea. Since 01st Jan 1986 it has been separated from Netherlands Antilles
group of Islands. Lying due north of Caracas, Venezuela, it is a tropical
island that is cooled by trade winds and situated out of the path of
hurricanes. Because of the trade winds, Aruba is pleasantly balmy, and the
residents do not need screens on their windows; friendly breezes blow the
insects out to sea. Sparkling white sand beaches are surrounded by seas that
constantly shift from blues to greens.

With
such an amiable climate and such beauty, it was inevitable that Aruba would
become an important resort island. Added to the natural setting are the
attraction of its warm, friendly people who speak a variety of languages;
Dutch, English, Spanish and a local language known as Papiamentro are
mingled with the many tongues spoken by foreign visitors.

Until the late 1950s, cruise ships brought in most
visitors, who stayed for only a day. But when the Aruba Caribbean Hotel and
Casino opened in 1959, travelers began staying over. When the airport was
expanded in 1964 to accommodate large jet aircrafts, their number increased
still more dramatically.

At the Aruba Caribbean Hotel Casino, craps,
blackjack, roulette, slot machines and a wheel of fortune are offered in
air-conditioned surroundings on the main level of the hotel. The casino's
official gaming coin is an unusual, eight-sided one identifying the
casino and hotel and minted in the denomination of 50 guilders, reflecting
the island's Dutch heritage. Mining in unusual shapes is hardly a novelty to
the Dutch; square Dutch nickels circulate on the island. Like all Aruba
casinos, the Aruba Caribbean Hotel Casino is under strict government
supervision.

The hotel has 200
air-conditioned guest rooms, each with a private balcony overlooking the
Caribbean. An Olympic-size swimming pool, shops tennis courts, professional
entertainment and a splendid beach, where guests can scuba dive, sail and
fish, provide relaxation away from the casino. Sightseeing is a
particularly, exciting pastime on Aruba, and when the day's adventures are
over, the island provide an equally adventurous cuisine, with fine
restaurants serving the ethnic cookery of many foreign nations.

This coin 50 Guilder was made
in 1980 by
Franklin Mint. This is the official gaming coins of the world's great casino
- issue number 19. The above information about the Casino and Hotel were
valid in 1980.